Matthew "Gren" Grenier Wins The NHL 24 North American Championship

Recap of the EA SPORTS NHL 24 North American Championship Finals

As soon as the semifinals concluded for the EA SPORTS NHL 24 North American Championship, it was time for the finals to commence. Dany-Karl "Deeks" Lévesque from Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, faced off against Matthew "Gren" Grenier, from Rose Hill, Texas

Gren represented the Buffalo Sabres, while Deeks represented the Montreal Canadiens. Gren is a well-seasoned veteran in the NHL competitive scene. He won the inaugural NHL 23 All-Star Open last year and the NHL 21 North American Championship.  

Deeks was coming off a thrilling series and game three comeback victory over Ethan "Polgz" Kerr-Polgar, while Gren bested his rival in the NHL competitive scene, Justin "Regs" Reguly.

Game one of the Finals kicked off with Gren scoring a quick first goal to go up 1-0. Gren's defensive play in his series against Regs was outstanding. Deeks controlled possession in their opening best-of-three matchup, but it was Gren who capitalized on his chances and took away the middle of the ice from Deeks to best him 4-2.

Deeks needed a response for game two, and what better way to show that than to score 30 seconds in. He went down 1-0 in his semifinal series against Polgz, so he was looking to replicate what he did earlier in the day.

The game was tied for most of the second period until Gren showcased his offensive skill, rallying off three quick goals to go up 4-1 heading into the third period and a chance to hoist the NHL 24 North American Championship.

Gren didn't let his foot off the gas for a second as he continued to press and hunt for goals. He would take the title game by a commanding score of 7-1 and win the NHL 24 North American Championship.

"It feels really, really good, especially today playing the two guys I played, I was just looking to keep that going," Gren told Anna Dua on the broadcast after mentioning to him after his win that he went undefeated in this tournament.

With his victory, he takes home $15,000 and sends himself straight to the NHL 24 World Championship semifinals alongside the European Championship winner, Erik "Eki" Tamenpää.

"It means everything, securing top four in the worlds already. We're going up against Eki at some point, so that'll be fun, I haven't played him since NHL 18, I'm excited," He said to Anna Dua when asked how much it means to him to have secured a spot in the World Championship semifinals.

"Oh, it's huge. You got Temppanen, Regs, Polgz, and Deeks all in that pool play, so I do not want to be there. I'm happy to bypass that," he reiterated to Cameron "NoSleeves" Halbert and Anthony "GrizGoal" Scibilia on the panel desk as to how important it is for him to avoid the World Championship Pool play.

"I'm saving it. I have fallen into the habit of spending my last earnings, so I'm saving this one," Gren answered when asked what he had planned to do with his prize money.

Cameron "NoSleeves" Halbert asked Gren where this win ranks for him, "Honestly, for me, this is probably number one. Even when I won in (NHL) 21, it was at home, so not quite the same environment as being here and playing everybody, but with having the run I did, it's probably number one," Gren said.

Deeks may leave New York City disappointed losing in the finals, but he leaves much richer. His second-place finish earned him $4,000. Polgz and Regs took home $2,000 each, finishing third and fourth.

The NHL 24 World Championship takes place on Apr. 7 in New York City. The reigning EA SPORTS NHL World Champion, Joseph "Jos X 10" Olmstead, did not qualify this year, meaning we will be crowning a new champion in two weeks. 

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